Covid-19 FACE TO FACE CLINIC
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

I am passionate about delivering the highest quality patient experience and providing a clean and safe environment at the clinic and studio settings. It is now time to go one step further to deliver the safest possible environment for us all during face to face care.

The below outlines my enhanced plan for the reopening of the Physiotherapy clinic and Pilates sessions in the studio. I will be reviewing and updating the plan and my ways of working on a regular basis in line with the latest Government and regulatory bodies guidance.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) has published guidelines on re-opening clinics to face to face appointments. I have implemented these measures to ensure the utmost diligence to these guidelines and to promote safer patient care.

1. First contact must still be via virtual assessment and screening

The most recent guidelines published by the CSP state that during the current pandemic all non-urgent Physiotherapy care is done by virtual appointments where possible. A full risk assessment will be completed for each client before a face to face consultation is carried out and I will make you aware of any risks associated with this face to face approach. You will be asked to complete a specific consent form detailing this.

2. Session treatment room allocation

The consulting rooms have a separate policy in practice that protects the health and safety of patients and therapists whilst in the therapy rooms and communal areas. This also limits interactions throughout the premises and proactively spreads out the flow of people entering and leaving the building.

I will only book one room within the consulting rooms for each day that I am in clinic. This will allow me to undertake a thorough check and clean of the room before and after each appointment. All of the equipment that I use within the treatment session will be cleaned thoroughly before and after each appointment.

3. Staggered session times

Appointment times will be staggered 15 minutes apart. The time is used to clean and disinfect the room, and equipment including the plinth and chair. This will also prevent interaction between other clients and ensure the communal spaces are free to navigate.

4. No contact booking and payment system

All bookings, invoices and receipts are administered electronically. For the foreseeable future no cash payments are permitted, and all payments must be made via bank transfer or my contactless system.

5. Ongoing deep cleaning process

The regular deep cleaning of all equipment will continue.  The chairs and plinths are all wipeable and will be disinfected between each patient, and high touch surfaces such as door handles, light switches and handrails will be cleaned regularly.

All small shared equipment will be removed from the clinic and studio for the time being. Clients will be encouraged to bring any of their own rehabilitation equipment to their sessions.

6. Personal protective equipment

As per government and professional body regulations I will wear gloves, masks and a disposable apron during the clinic session (in some circumstance a visor will also be worn). Gloves and apron will be changed after each patient appointment. All clients that visit the clinic will also be asked to wear a face mask for the duration of their appointment.

7. Arrival protocol 

All clients visiting the clinic will be asked to remain outside until they are called by their therapist and invited to enter the clinic.

On arrival we ask that you use the hand sanitiser and wash your hands. Current recommendations indicate that washing with hot water and soap for at least 20 seconds to be superior to dispenser sanitiser so I would urge everyone to follow correct hand washing protocols.

Hand sanitiser and hand washing facilities will be available in the treatment room and can be used by both the patient and therapist whenever required.

Client responsibility

Many changes have been put in place but the only way the new safety processes will be effective is if we all make sure to do our part.

Please arrive on time for your appointment but remain outside until I text or call you.  Only 1 person is allowed in the clinic room per appointment and please do not bring a bag or coat into the clinic with you.

All clients must arrive at the clinic wearing a face mask and these will be available to buy for £1.

I will take your temperature when you arrive for your session using an infra-red contactless thermometer. If your temperature is over 37.5 degrees celsius you will not be allowed to enter the clinic for your session and an administrative fee will be charged.

You will be asked to wash your hands when entering the clinic and facilities will be available in the treatment room.

Please make sure to practice social distancing when in close, shared spaces like hallways and the reception area. Toilet facilities are available but please avoid using them if possible. Minimising your contact with surfaces such as door handles is preferable.

If you have had any of the following symptoms of COVID-19 within the last 21 days or knowingly been in contact with anyone with these symptoms, please do not come to the clinic/studio.

• a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back.
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual).
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, or have knowingly come into close contact with someone who has, we ask that you do not come to the clinic or studio for 21 days.

As air travel significantly increases the risk of contracting and transmitting the COVID-19 virus please do not attend the clinic if you travelled outside of the United Kingdom in the past 21 days.

If you feel unwell or have any concerns about coming in, please stay home and stay safe.

And finally….

I understand that all of these measures can seem overwhelming and confusing at first however once your session starts I am confident that you will find yourself in a safe and relaxing environment, and I am looking forward to being able to help you again. Thank you for your understanding and support.